For today, links to four reports from the Associated Press and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Israel’s army says it will pause daytime fighting along a route in southern Gaza to help ramp up aid, by Josef Federman, Wafaa Shurafa, and Julia Frankel | AP JERUSALEM — Israel’s military announced today that it would pause fighting throughout daytime hours along a route in southern Gaza to free up a backlog of humanitarian aid deliveries destined for desperate Palestinians enduring a humanitarian crisis sparked by the war, now in its ninth month. The “tactical pause” applies to about 12 kilometers . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Reuters.   

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FROM JUNE 15  Eight Israeli soldiers killed as fighting continues in Rafah, by James Mackenzie and Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  JERUSALEM / CAIRO — Eight Israeli soldiers were killed in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, the military said, as forces continued to push in and around the southern city of Rafah and strikes hit several areas of Gaza, killing at least 19 Palestinians. The soldiers, all members of a combat engineering . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for June 15 report from AP.   

For today, links to 10 reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, and Tass and to commentary from the Kyiv Post: others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Ukraine summit strives for consensus, way forward uncertain, by Thomas Escritt and Sabine Siebold | Reuters  BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland Western powers and other nations pushed for a consensus on how to end the war in Ukraine at a Swiss summit today, but some countries may refuse to back its final conclusions and there was no clarity on whether future talks would involve Russia. . . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  80 countries at Swiss conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace, by Jamey Keaten | AP  OBBÜRGEN, Switzerland — Eighty countries today jointly called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia’s two-year war, though some key developing nations at a Swiss conference did not join in. The joint communique capped . . . READ MORE . . .

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French president urges world to strengthen ‘fundamental principle’ of UN Charter amid war in Ukraine, by Nur Asena Erturk and Beyza Binnur Donmez | Anadolu Agency  ANKARA — The French president today called on the international community to “strengthen the fundamental principle of the UN Charter on international law.” “Nobody in this room,” Emmanuel Macron told world leaders at the two-day Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland’s Burgenstock resort, is in war against Russia, but . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 15  Zelensky says will present peace plan to Russia once agreed. From AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday he would present Moscow a proposal for ending the war once it had been agreed by the international community. He told the forum at an inaugural summit in Switzerland that he hoped it would lay the groundwork for a “just” and “lasting” settlement with Russia. READ MORE . . .

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Russian proposals not discussed at Swiss peace summit, Scholz says, by Kateryna Hodunova and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  Group of Seven (G7) leaders did not entertain Russian President Vladimir Putin’s peace proposals for its war in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said during the Ukraine peace summit, the Guardian reported on Friday. Putin stipulated on June 14 that . . . READ MORE . . .

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About 20 NATO countries involved in conflict in Ukraine — lawmaker. From Tass ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia — About twenty NATO member-countries are involved in the conflict in Ukraine, member of the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian legislative assembly, Sergey Tsekov said. On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Norway gives $103mn to Ukraine to secure electricity. From AFP. Norway said today it would provide 1.1 billion kroner ($103 million) to Ukraine to help repair its energy infrastructure and secure the country’s electricity supply before next winter. “Russia is carrying out . . . READ MORE . . .

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Battlegroup Center improves tactical position in 24 hours — Russian Defense Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — Over the past 24 hours, units of Russia’s Battlegroup Center have improved their tactical position and defeated formations of three brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 15  World leaders join Ukraine summit in test of Kyiv’s peace push, by Thomas Escritt and Dave Graham | Reuters  BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland — World leaders gathered at a Swiss Alpine resort on Saturday to seek broader consensus for Ukraine’s peace proposals at a summit shunned by China and dismissed as a waste of time by Russia, which pushed its own rival ceasefire plans from afar. More than 90 countries . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 15  Ukraine employs a flexible defense while waiting for new Western ammo to get to the front, by Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian firepower has been improving since U.S. lawmakers approved a much-needed military aid package this spring, though not quickly enough to halt the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. Although the influx . . . READ MORE . . .

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War of words: Debunking the myth of ‘pro-war’ support for Ukraine, by Casey Christie | Kyiv Post  The absurdity of labeling politicians and countries that support Ukraine’s defense against Russia as “warmongers” or “pro-war” is laughable, yet . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to five reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Monitor, the Anadolu Agency, and Wafa, and to commentary from Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JUNE 14  U.S. is removing aid pier from Gaza coast again due to weather, officials say. From AP. The U.S.-built aid pier will be detached from Gaza’s coast for a second time due to rough seas, two U.S. officials said Friday, raising further questions about the viability of the sea route. Palestinians are facing widespread hunger because . . . READ MORE . . .

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Erdogan says Biden faces a test of sincerity in handling of the Gaza war. From Reuters. ISTANBUL — Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said today that U.S. President Joe Biden is undergoing “a test of sincerity” in his handling of the Gaza war. He said Biden is expected to demonstrate that the Gaza ceasefire plan is not a calculated electoral tactic but a . . . READ MORE . . .

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Gallant attacks Macron: ‘Israel will not be party to trilateral framework proposed by France.’ From Middle East Monitor. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday attacked French President Emmanuel Macron after the latter announced on Thursday the formation of a committee with the participation of the U.S., France and Israel to discuss the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. On the other hand, high-ranking . . . READ MORE . . .

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UNICEF: Gaza’s children living in constant terror due to Israeli bombardment. From Wafa. GAZA — James Elder, spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund, said today that it is abnormal for the children of Gaza to live in “constant terror due to Israeli bombardment.” Speaking . . . READ MORE . . .

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‘We should not lose sight of West Bank,’ says U.S. senator, by Diyar Guldogan | AA  WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders has voiced concern about recent developments in the occupied West Bank, saying the Israeli premier is breaking international law in the Gaza Strip. “While the world is understandably focused on the destruction unfolding in Gaza, we . . . READ MORE . . .

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Blinken is dragging the U.S. ever deeper into Israel’s quagmire, by David Hearst | Middle East Eye  It takes a lot to get the diplomats of the Middle East to agree on anything. The behaviour of one man over the last eight months of the war in Gaza has, however, forged a consensus rare among such a group. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to five reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Eye, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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U.S.-built pier in Gaza is facing its latest challenge — whether the UN will keep delivering the aid, by Ellen Knickmeyer and Edith M. Lederer | AP  WASHINGTON — The U.S.-built pier to bring food to Gaza is facing one of its most serious challenges yet — its humanitarian partner is deciding if it can safely and ethically keep delivering supplies arriving by the U.S. sea route to starving Palestinians. The United Nations paused its work with the pier after . . . READ MORE . . .

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In northern Gaza, starved families survive on bread alone, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  CAIRO — In the north of the Gaza Strip where Palestinians have been hit hardest by hunger, residents say acute shortages of vegetables, fruit and meat means they are surviving on bread alone. Food that can be found in the market is being sold at exorbitant prices, they said . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for a report from Middle East Eye.

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FROM JUNE 13  Israelis and Palestinians are hopeful but cautious over the latest cease-fire proposal, by Tia Goldenberg and Wafaa Shurafa | AP  TEL AVIV — A proposed cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas is raising hopes that eight months of fighting could soon come to an end. Here is a look at the hopes, fears and expectations of some in the region as the sides . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 13  Why hasn’t there been a Palestinian state? Reported by Jackie Northam | NPR   Why is there no Palestinian state, despite so many states recognizing it? Daniel Levy, current president of the U.S./Middle East Project, and John Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies weigh in. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM JUNE 13  Will the generational divide on support for Israel impact the presidential election? Reported by Marc Rivers, Ashley Brown and Sacha Pfeiffer | NPR President Biden faces waning support with voters under age 30, but his performance with older Americans is stronger. The generational split comes amid increased criticism for his response to the war in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

For today, links to eight reports from Reuters, National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, the Associated Press, Anadolu Agency, and Wafa; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Israeli forces thrust deeper into Rafah as diplomacy falters, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  CAIRO — Israeli tanks advanced deeper into the western area of Rafah, amid one of the worst nights of bombardment from air, ground, and sea, forcing many families to flee their homes and tents under darkness, residents said today. Residents said . . . READ MORE . . .

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More than 80% of people in Gaza have been displaced from their homes, Mercy Corps says. Steve Inskeep of NPR speaks with Arnaud Quemin, Middle East director of Mercy Corps, about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Israel reportedly hits Gaza safe zone as ceasefire discussions persist. From Middle East Eye. Israel has launched land, sea and air strikes on al-Mawasi, a designated safe zone in Gaza, according to Palestine’s Wafa news agency. The Israeli army denied carrying out any strikes in the area where thousands of Palestinians are taking shelter. Wafa also . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. scrambles to prevent Israel-Hezbollah war. From Middle East Monitor. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has grown increasingly alarmed about the potential for an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as violence between the two has escalated in recent days. U.S. officials are said . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. national security adviser says Israel stands behind cease-fire proposal. From AP. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan today pushed back against . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 12  8 months into the Israel-Hamas war, the U.S. still aims to end the fighting. Reported by Daniel Estrin and Steve Inskeep | NPR  The U.S. is pushing what it calls an Israeli “roadmap” to wind down the war in Gaza, but the plan is still far from being endorsed — even by Israel. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Accumulated waste in Gaza poses ‘catastrophic’ environmental, health risks: UN agency. From AA. ANKARA — The UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned today of “catastrophic” environmental and health risks in the Gaza Strip amid an accumulation of waste in populated areas in the battered enclave. READ MORE . . .

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Death toll in Gaza rises to 37,232 as Israel continues its aggression. From Wafa. GAZA — The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s deadly aggression against the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, has now surged to 37,232, medical sources said today. Sources added that at least 85,037 others have also been injured . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to eight reports from the Moscow Times, Agence France-Presse, the Press Association, the Associated Press, Tass, National Public Radio, the Kyiv Independent, and the Kyiv Post; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Moscow Exchange halts dollar, euro trade after new U.S. sanctions. From the Moscow Times. The Moscow Exchange today suspended trading in dollars and euros after it was sanctioned by the United States in a new raft of restrictions aimed at hindering Russia’s ability to wage war in Ukraine. The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday. . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 12  U.S. widens sanctions against Russia over Ukraine invasion. From AFP. The United States on Wednesday announced a raft of new sanctions aimed at constraining Moscow’s ability to wage war on Ukraine while raising the stakes for foreign banks that still do business with Russia The Treasury and State departments’ sanctions impacted more than 300 targets, including . . . READ MORE . . .

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UK announces new Russia sanctions as G7 summit kicks off, by Helen Corbett | PA / AOL  PUGLIA, Italy — The UK has announced it will target ships in Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet with new sanctions to support Ukraine as part of co-ordinated action with G7 partners. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also . . . READ MORE . . .

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G7 leaders agree to lend Ukraine billions backed by Russia’s frozen assets. Here’s how it will work, by Fatima Hussein | AP  WASHINGTON — Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have agreed to engineer a $50 billion loan to help Ukraine in its fight for survival that would use interest earned on profits from Russia’s frozen central bank assets as collateral. Details  . . . READ MORE . . .

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Medvedev urges to turn life in West into ‘permanent nightmare’ in response to sanctions. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia should get biblical with its response to Western sanctions by turning life in the West into a “permanent nightmare” and inflicting maximum damage on unfriendly countries, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said. READ MORE . . .

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Can seized Russian assets help pay for Ukraine aid? Reported by Deepa Shivaram | NPR  Western leaders have agreed to the concept of using the interest from frozen Russian financial assets to help support Ukraine fight Russia and rebuild after the lengthy war. But they’re . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

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Ukraine hits Russia’s newest communication station for first time, military says, by Kateryna Denisova | The Kyiv Independent  Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces attacked Russia’s newest R-416GM digital radio relay communication station for the first time since the beginning of the all-out war, the military said today. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Kyiv Post.

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Russia’s strikes pound Ukrainian army, equipment in 103 areas over past day — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops struck Ukrainian army units and military hardware in 103 areas over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement.. . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to six reports from the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, National Public Radio, the Anadolu Agency, Reuters, and Middle East Monitor, and to commentary from PassBlue via ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Blinken says some of Hamas’ proposed changes to a cease-fire plan in Gaza are workable and some not, by Bassem Mroue and Jack Jeffrey | AP  BEIRUT — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that the war in Gaza would go on after Hamas proposed “numerous” changes to a U.S.-backed cease-fire plan, some that he said were “workable” and some not. READ MORE . . .

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Hamas seeking U.S. guarantees over Gaza ceasefire plan: report. From Middle East Eye. Hamas wants written guarantees from the United States for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip in order to sign off on a US-backed truce proposal, two Egyptian security sources said. Mediators Qatar and Egypt said . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 11  Blinken at Gaza aid conference in Jordan. Reported by Jane Arraf and Mary Louise Kelly | NPR  Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pushing a U.S. truce “roadmap” at a regional aid conference in Jordan. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israeli attacks kill 38 more Gazans, death toll surpasses 37,200, From AA.  ANKARA — At least 38 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, pushing up the overall death toll to 37,202 since last Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said today. “Many people are still trapped under . . . READ MORE . . .

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Gaza families desperate for water with no relief in sight, by Mahmoud Issa | Reuters  GAZA — It is not only the ever-present danger from Israeli bombardment or ground fighting that makes life a trial for Gaza’s Palestinian civilians. READ MORE . . .

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MEMO launches Ilan Pappe’s book Lobbying for Zionism, by Nasim Ahmed | MEMO  Middle East Monitor, in collaboration with the Cordoba Foundation and One World Publications, today hosted the launch of renowned Israeli historian Prof. Ilan Pappe’s latest book Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic at an event in London. READ MORE . . .

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The U.S. presidential candidates’ UN and foreign policy stances, by Laura E. Kirkpatrick | PassBlue / ScheerPost   On Nov. 5, American voters will choose their 47th president. Combined, the likely candidates, Joe Biden, a Democrat and the incumbent, and Donald Trump, a Republican former president and a recently convicted felon, have run seven times for the country’s highest political office. Though attracting little poll support, Robert Kennedy Jr., an independent . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to seven reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, the Kyiv Post, National Public Radio, and the Kyiv Independent, and to commentary from PassBlue via ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Russia fires more missiles and drones at Ukraine ahead of diplomatic efforts to stop the war, by Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — Russian forces fired missiles and drones at the Kyiv region and five other areas of Ukraine in a nighttime attack, officials said today, ahead of several days of intense diplomatic activity around the war. Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 29 out of 30 air targets, including . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian air attacks cause industrial facility fire in Kyiv region, injure several. From Reuters. KYIV — Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine early today, causing a fire at an industrial facility, damaging residences and injuring several people across six regions, local authorities said. Ukrainian military said it shot down five out of six . . . READ MORE . . .

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Battlegroup Dnepr inflicts defeat on two Ukrainian military brigades. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr has inflicted a defeat on two brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions, with the enemy’s losses amounting to 80 troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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U.S. to send second Patriot missile system to Ukraine. From Kyiv Post. The United States will soon send a second battery of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine, the New York Times reports, citing senior American officials. The officials said the Patriot system will be transferred from Poland, where . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian barrage leaves Kyiv residents without power and water, by Anastasiia Malenko | Reuters  KYIV — Ukrainian authorities say the Russian spring attacks have taken out about half of the country’s generation capacity – 9,000 out of 18,000 Mwh — and that they have caused long-term damage that may mean power cuts for years to come. Some Kyiv residents . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia has destroyed half of Ukraine’s energy production. How is the country coping? Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  The U.S. and Europe have pledged nearly $2 billion in aid for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has been devastated by Russian strikes. That damage has caused rolling blackouts. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Inside Ukraine’s prison recruitment efforts to bolster front-line troops, by Alexander Khrebet | The Kyiv Independent  ZHYTOMYR and KYIV OBLASTS — New Ukrainian legislation allowing military service for prisoners convicted of certain felonies, including manslaughter, offers a unique opportunity: parole in exchange for . . . READ MORE . . .

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The U.S. presidential candidates’ UN and foreign policy stances, by Laura E. Kirkpatrick | PassBlue / ScheerPost   On Nov. 5, American voters will choose their 47th president. Combined, the likely candidates, Joe Biden, a Democrat and the incumbent, and Donald Trump, a Republican former president and a recently convicted felon, have run seven times for the country’s highest political office. Though attracting little poll support, Robert Kennedy Jr., an independent . . . READ MORE . . .